Smart Cheat

SMART CHEAT

    “Seun, my son.” Mrs. Funmi called.

    “Yes mum.”

    “I must say,” quoth the 52-year-old Funmi. “I am really proud of you.”

    “Thank you, mum.” appreciated the 18-year-old Seun.

     Seun was the only child of Mrs. Funmi Akande who was a widow. Since her beloved husband kicked the bucket untimely nine years back, she had vowed not to remarry; hence, she had been trying unrelentingly to make it up to her only pride (Seun) who she regarded as her pet, with the help of the trading business she was into. Seun wasn’t just loved but adored by his industrious mother who could best be described as a virtuous woman, owing to his ostensibly brilliant idiosyncrasy; he was no doubt trying his very best to do well academically, particularly in order to please his poor mother who he saw as his messiah.

     Having concluded his secondary education previous year in a grand style and thereafter successfully secured admission in the university of his choice to study his dream discipline, Business Management, precisely few weeks back, in the aforementioned gathering which was taking place in their parlour at about 7:35am, his loving and lovely mother – ‘Madam Funmi’ as she was fondly called by her friends and foes was painstakingly taking her precious time to administer the required and consequential counsel.

     “I am glad you have been coming out with flying colours in all your exams.” Funmi rode on as she was seated in the parlour.

     Seun who was seated directly adjacent to her, smiled. “Thank you, mum.” He said.

     “Even in the grave,” quoth Funmi. “Your father would be very proud of you.” She enthused, paused. “He wanted the best for you.”

      Seun was calm.

     “I pray you will continue like this throughout your university period.”

      Seun adjusted himself, remained calm and speechless.

    “Please my son,” she proceeded. “Always try your best to make me a happy woman.” She asked, paused. “You know you are the only one I have.” She added.

    “I want to assure you one thing, mum…” Seun interrupted.

     Funmi was quiet and attentive.

    “I will never disappoint you,” he landed. “I mean, always.”

    “That’s my boy.” Mrs. Funmi elatedly applauded. “Please, come and sit here.” She urged, tapping the space on her seat.

     Seun left his seat for hers immediately, leaned on it and folded his hands.

     Funmi looked into his eyes. “My son,” she called passionately. “As you are about leaving for your school…”

     Seun appeared more attentive.

    “When you get there,” she continued. “Never forget where you are coming from.” She enjoined soberly, wept.

     “Mum, why are you crying?”

      She quickly wiped her tears, gasped for air. “Never mind.” She trivialized.

     “Mummy is okay,” he urged. “Don’t worry, everything would be alright, okay?”

     Funmi nodded emphatically. “Thank you.” She told him.

     The discussion lasted till 8.40am before they left for their respective daily household chores.

     The following week, Seun departed home for the university where he got admission. His first day on the campus wasn’t just indelible but a moment he wished he would live to celebrate all through his lifetime.

     As a fresher, he had on him all the needed materials cum cash that would cater for him throughout the first semester. This was due to the fact that his mother never wanted him to be distracted or lack anything whatsoever because the institution in question was a no-nonsense one that believed in excellence through hard work; to say the least, any student caught indulging in any form of examination malpractice outrightly faced expulsion and such legacy spoke volumes whenever the university name was mentioned anywhere across the country.

     To Seun’s mum, her only child was equal to the task when it called for hard work or devotion, thus she was strongly of the view that the chap would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring that he came out with flying colours after each semester exams. As a result of this notion, she was so determined to shower him with every needed love regarding finances like never before, in order to spur him to put in his very best in all matters concerning his academics which were his primary aim of going to the university. On his part, toward making it up to his mother, Seun was equally prepared to metamorphose into a better being.

     Ceteris paribus, three months down the line, the university exams, as usual, were around the corner. To this end, all the undergraduates including Seun, were variously doing the required finishing touching to ensure that the awaited test of ability became an absolute success. Seun was really nervous as regards the fast approaching exams that were expected to commence the following week; he needn’t any iota of excuse that would make his person not to boast of a distinction in virtually all his courses that were eleven in number if the results eventually came out, just as the case was during his primary as well as secondary school time.      

     There and behold, the long awaited D-day being the next Monday, finally arrived, to the glory of God. On that fateful day, Seun was meant to sit for ‘Introduction to Commerce’ which was a general subject for every first year (100 Level) undergraduate of the Management faculty.

     “Hey boy,” one of the exam invigilators called Seun as he sighted him in the distance displaying some antics amid the exam. “Stand up!” He urged him.

     “You mean me?” Seun enquired while still seated, his exam papers facing him.

     “Yes you,” the invigilator, Mr. Funsho clarified, gesticulating. “Stand up!!” He reiterated.

     The exam hall, which comprised about thirty candidates, was marveled over the invigilator’s mode of approach. As freshers, coupled with the fact that they had been duly briefed in regard to the university’s intolerant modus operandi, each of them became jitterier.

     Seun hesitantly stood up as instructed.

      Mr. Funsho majestically walked closer to him. “What’s your name?” he inquired, glanced at his answer script.

     “Akande Seun.”

      Mr. Funsho nodded unfriendly. “What were you doing awhile ago?” He said.

     “Doing what, sir?” Seun confronted. “I was writing my exam, of course.” He added with alacrity.

     “So you weren’t guilty, right?” Mr. Funsho insisted.

     “Guilty of what, sir?”

     “I can see you are stubborn.” Mr. Funsho frayed, quickly dipped his right hand into one of Seun’s trousers’ pockets and brought out a manuscript.

     He had earlier caught Seun making use of the manuscript but the culprit was claiming to be clever.

     Everyone stared at the scene in utmost awe.

     Seun who stood still was totally embarrassed, didn’t know what next to do.

     The fact was that, Seun was so talented when it called for cheating in the exam hall right from his childhood; that was how he scaled through all his examinations in the past without his mother’s knowledge. Mrs. Funmi presumed she had a brilliant child unknowingly to her that the chap in question was nothing but a smart cheat. Now, luck had run out of him.

     Therein, Seun Akande was dragged out of the exam hall by Mr. Funsho alongside his co-invigilators, and was taken to the university’s Senate building. Consequently, few days on, he was expelled from the university.

     His poor mother, Mrs. Funmi Akande instantly slumped and passed away on hearing the sad news.

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